Three and half months ago I received devastating news. On her way home from college, a beloved young woman from our community was in a horrific accident. At first, the danger to her life was extreme. Even when she became semi stable, there was a huge possibility of permanent damage to her body that would keep her from being the independent and adventurous woman she had always been. Weeks turned into months. One surgery became five and then more and more and more. As a mother my heart was broken for her and her family. As an employee and friend, my heart was broken for her mother. As a person my heart was broken that such tragic circumstances would cause so much pain.
Every person I spoke with, teachers who had taught her, young adults who were her friends, younger students who looked up to her, community members who had been impacted by her, spoke well of her in every capacity. When I say beloved I am not exaggerating. People would look at me with shock and horror when I would explain that I had never met her. Every single person said that I had to meet Barbara. I began to pray that God would allow me to meet her. I pleaded with Him to heal her body. I stalked her Go Fund Me page and her mother’s Facebook page for updates of any kind. At every possible opportunity I asked those who loved her how she was doing. Barbara became precious to me regardless of the fact that I had never met her.
Healing can be like a roller coaster. One day all the signs point to progress and the next they it seems as if it is all falling apart. I cannot even begin to imagine the fear, frustration, and sadness that Barbara and her family experienced as these three and a half months have passed. So much has been touch and go, so often have the stakes been unbelievably high, and so often was the news hard to hear. I learned quickly though, that giving up was never an option. Barbara had the fight, the will, and a team of prayer warriors to work through the pain, to smile while stuck in a hospital bed, and to push through when so many others would have given up.
I wish there were words to adequately describe how deeply inspired and touched I have been by her story, her grit, and her attitude. I wish I could tell you how much respect and admiration I have for those I watched take care of every need they could. I wish I could express to you just how much Barbara means to me and to this community. I wish you could see on my face the emotions that are so evident on my face.
Today was the third day for students to come to school. As I was reviewing expectations my assistant principal came through my door. She asked me if I had a couple of minutes. Then she stepped out and when my door opened again, Barbara walked into my classroom. Did you catch that, Barbara WALKED into my classroom. I reached to hug her and she hugged me back. She used those arms that at one time we thought would never work again to HUG me. I was able to speak with her for a few moments. She is a remarkable woman. She is a fighter. She is a warrior. She is absolutely beautiful and intelligent and tough.
They shut the door as they left to walk back down the hallway and then, I cried. I cried because she walked. I cried because her arms worked. I cried because she is so very loved. I cried because I finally got to meet the woman, the myth, and the legend. I cried tears of joy that came from the depths of my heart. Then, I tried to explain to second graders why what had just occurred was a miracle of epic proportions. Then, they cried. In the middle of a school day, we shared a powerfully moving moment. I am grateful that today I got to meet Barbara. I am grateful that she is healing. I am grateful that I have a class of second graders who are clearly compassionate and caring. I am just deeply, deeply grateful.
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